What is M-49 and what is a Marine Highway Project?
The U. S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration has designated Marine Highway Routes that basically run parallel to Interstate Highways. A Marine Highway Route is simply a navigable waterway that moves freight. We are already on a designated Marine Highway Route M-49. M-49 includes the portion of the Red River known as the J. Bennett Johnson Waterway and the Atchafalaya River, which is associated with I-49. A Marine Highway Project is a service that moves freight. In order to have a Marine Highway Project application approved, the applicant has to meet certain criteria such as financially viability, providing a cost savings to customers, providing public benefits (emission reduction.)
Below are links to more information on this important project: